Yoga for Arthritis: The Complete Guide (Paperback)

by Loren Fishman MD (Author), Ellen Saltonstall MD (Author)
Key Phrases: pressure cooker, ankylosing spondylitis, anusara yoga, The All-Stars, The Lumbar Spine, The Sacroiliac Joints (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A comprehensive, user-friendly medical yoga program designed for management and prevention of arthritis. Arthritis restricts movement; yoga increases range of motion: these two were made for each other. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in this country, limiting everyday activities for more than seven million Americans. Drugs, surgeries, and steroids can alleviate some of the discomforts, but study after study has shown that exercise is most beneficial to most forms of arthritis, specifically low-impact, flexibility-enhancing exercises—hence, yoga. In this comprehensive and thoroughly illustrated guide, Loren Fishman and Ellen Saltonstall, who between them have seven decades of clinical experience, help readers understand arthritis and give a spectrum of exercises for beginners and experts. Broken down into chapters focusing on each major joint, there are 100 classical yoga poses and numerous imaginative and physiologically sound adapted poses, all with step-by-step instructions and easy-to-follow photo demonstrations. The authors welcome readers into the philosophy and principles of yoga and show how to use yoga to find lasting relief from arthritis.

About the Author
Loren Fishman, MD, is a professor at the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons and lives in New York City.

Ellen Saltonstall is a certified Anusara Yoga instructor and licensed massage therapist who lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: W.W. Norton & Co. (March 17, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393330583
• ISBN-13: 978-0393330588
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #23,262 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Diets & Weight Loss > Special Conditions > Arthritis
  #15 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Disorders & Diseases > Musculoskeletal Diseases
  #44 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Exercise & Fitness > Injuries & Rehabilitation

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful resource for those who have physical issues, March 13, 2008

By	Kenneth Wasserman - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am 64 and love yoga but i have some chronic conditions, an arthritic knee, flare-ups of trochanteric bursitis, and spinal stenosis. I was trying by trial and error to figure what yoga postures helped and what didn't, but it really helps to have a source book that tells you what you can do and what not to do. This book does that.

I have been waiting for a book like this for a long time, and as soon as it was available turned to it for help. The blessing is that you can quickly turn to an area of the body that you need to deal with, like knees or lumbar spine, and find out what to do, and every time you go back you can deepen your understanding, the book is that rich.

The pictures and explanations are clear. It's really cheap at the price. Many thanks to the authors.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book On Yoga for Effectively Treating Arthritis!, March 6, 2008

By	Suza Francina "Yoga Teacher, Author, Animal... (Ojai, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Yoga for Arthritis is a fabulous resource for teachers, students, therapists and doctors alike. Everyone can benefit from reading this book! It explains the scientific justification for using yoga to treat joint stiffness and then takes you step by step through yoga practices to increase range of motion.

Long before I understood the degree to which yoga can rehabilitate the body, I was helping people who were unable to dress, bathe or feed themselves independently due to the pain and stiffness in their joints. This has helped me understand the extreme suffering that can be inflicted by arthritis and given me an even greater appreciation for what yoga has to offer.

Loren Fishman and Ellen Saltonstall are longtime students of B.K.S. Iyengar and John Friend, founder of Anusara Yoga. In the Author's Note, they explain why they are inspired by both of these great teachers. The appendix describes the alignment principles from Anusara Yoga.

This book will revolutionize yoga therapy for people with arthritis!

--Suza Francina, Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher, author, The New Yoga for People Over 50, The New Yoga for Healthy Aging and other books for people at midlife and older.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Profusely Illustrated - If it Aches, There is an Exercise!, May 15, 2008

By	A. Bouck (Berne, New York United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is wonderful. It shows how to relieve pain or stiffness in your hands, your feet, your upper back, lower back, knees, neck .... with easy to understand illustrations. Forget the text (yes that is clear, written in an easy to understand and DO style) but I have to SEE what they are telling me to do. This book is a Must for anyone who has aches and pains -- or for that matter, for anyone who is thinking of getting some :)It's the best book of this type I have ever seen. In fact, I am going to buy one for my daughter just because it is great for people who need to stretch and bend and who think they are too busy.